Garment-clasp.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

J. M. SINER.

y GARMENT CLASP.

PPLIOATION SEPT. 2B, 1907- Vw@ who@ 7% l 5151A@ Howland z -'UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

JOHN M. SINER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK No. 884,425. Specification of Application liled September 28, 1907: Serial No-l 394,977.

stantial manner between rounded surfaces,

the engagement extending over a sufficient area to preclude any injury to the fabric.

In carryin out the present invention, I aim to provi e a form of -clasp in whichvthe fabric is gripped ti htly throughout -an extended arear In a dition to this, I provide means by which the clasp is locked in use so as to be insured against any accidental re-I lease. But in securing these advantages, the general appearance of the ordinary garter clasp has not been widely departed from,

and the advantages of easy clasping and un- `clas ing manipulation are retained.

lith these objects 'in view the invention consists in the features of construction and combination as hereinafter set forth and claimed. I In the drawings: Figure 1V is a front view or elevation of a garter clasp embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the same in unclasping or disengaged reflation. .Figj is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a similar view in clasped or engaged relation; and Fig. 5 is a detail View of one of the parts.

Referring to the drawings in which like. parts'are designated by the same reference sign, 1 indicates the main frame member or backing plate, having an opening 2, atA its upper end, in which the usual garter strap or similar device 3, is secured. The plate or member 1 is made quite long,`corrcsponding to substantially the `entire length of the" complete, clasp, and conveniently of sheet metal orresilicnt substance.

4 indicates a button ern'lancntly' attached t0 the lower end of t e plate or member 1. I prefer to make the part 4 of wood or similar rigid substance with a fairly soft or friction surface; The reasons by which it is ossible or even advantageous to make the utton 4 in this way will vlater more particularly appear. The form of the button 4'may be accorded to any particular re- Letters Patent. Patented Apri114, 1908. i

quirements, that shown having a rounded tapered shank 5, and an enlarged rounded head 6, being an advantageous shape for 9 indicate holes or perforations in the ears" 8 in transverse alinement with one another, and adaptedto constitute pivot bearings. These pivot bearings receive a link l0 (shown particularlyA in Fig. 5).

The details of construction of the link 10 i may be varied in practice, but I prefer the construction shown, and comprising a piece of sheet metal turned over at Aone end to form an eye 11, and having integral lugs or extensions 12, at the other end in transverse alinement with one another and received in the pivot bearings 9. 13 indicates an offset portion in the link by which the axis of the eye 11 is brought into symmetrical relation with the remainder of the outline, and certain locking functions of the link attained, as will later ap pear. Within the eye 11, there is received tie loop, hoop, or socket member 14,

the essential characteristic of which is a recess or jaw 15, of sufficient width to receive the shank 5 of the button 4. This loop or jaw member is rounded at 16, so as to swivel freely in the eye 11 of the link 10. Its length is such that the rounded end surface 17 I ears tightly against the shank 5 of the button when the link is directed upwardly, as particularly'shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The central portion is widened and has a large opening or cavity 17, considerably larger than the largest diameter of the button 4, this cavity gradually tapering or narrowing downward into the recess or jaw' 15 mentioned. At its upper end, the loop or jaw member 14 is widened at 14 which provides for its easy engagement and manipulation by the fingers in use.

The metal of the clasp is enveloped and protected hy a fabric covering 18, which is threaded through openings- 19 and 2O in the plate 1, and has its ends extending upwardly and sewed to the garter strap 3. In this way the rear surface of the garter clasp is entirely covered and the metal kept from direct Contact with the body Cif the wearer in use of the loop or jaw member.

'stocking or other garment, theI loop or jaw i member 14 is drawn outward until the link l engagement locks or holds the link against accidental displacement so that the clasp is secured against disengagement until the 'nk is forcibly drawn outward by the application 10standsout\\'ardlyfromtheplate1,orhangs of an adequate force. 'In order that the downward therefromin the manner shown in lclasp may operate with 'equal eflicienc for F ig. 2. Under these circumstances, the but all 'grades and thicknesses of fabric, it is best ton lllies opposite the widely o )en portion 17 to make the backing plate 1 of resilient man this position i terial so that it can yieldl or buckle slightly the fabric of the stocking is easilyenwaged and along the ortion 21, when the clamp is in )ushed into a position to be clasped. If the l use. In t is way, the clamping force corlink 10 is now swung upwardly, the loop or l responds to the elasticity against defor1na jaw memberlwillbedrawn upwardlytoward i tion of such backing and this force is subthe4 button 4 and eventually bind tightly l stantially the same whether the clamp is against the same when the link 10 assumes a enga ed on a thin or a thick fabric.

vertical position, shown in Figs. 1 and 4. iat I claim, is:-

As the button is at this time surrounded by. A rarment clasp comprising a frame or the fabric to be clasped, it is evident that the plateiavin a button and odset rearwardly latter is also tightly grip ed around subl at the midd e portion of its length, a loop or stantially half'or more of t 1e circumference i jaw member to receive said button, and of the button. lt will be noted that in this rigi-l sheet metal link folded over at one end action the link l() acts a toggle joint and to form an eye in substantially the plane of secures va very considerable clamping pressaid link to embrace said loop or jaw member sure with only a very moderate force of maand pivoted to said frame at its other end at nipulation. 1t is by reason of this fact thata a point on the side of said offset l`orti0n of rigid button 41s best, since a wooden or rigid the frame towards said buttonan near the button resists the clamping pressure with a surface of said frame, said link being offset more adequate force of reaction thana highly at its middle portion at a point corres ondfiexible button made of rubber.' Not' only r' ing to the offset portion of said rame, are these various features secured, but an whereby said link swings into a locking relaadditional locking function is obtained by the l tion in use.

link 10. This is achieved by reason of the In witness whereof, I subscribe my signaoffst portlionl? offfthe' plate or nfieilnbr l, tol ture, in the presence of two witnesses.

Cet er wit v1 tie o set part 13 o t ie in( 10. buch construction )erinits the link 1() swing JOHN M' SINER to a point beyondI the center where it is in alinement with the strain of the clasp. In this position the strain ofthe clamping The use and operation is as follows: It being desired to clasp or engage the fabric of a Witnesses WALDoM. CHAPIN, JAMES DANToNIO. 

